anyone got a headset press?
I'm putting together a new mountain bike, but this is one of the few tools I do not own. anyone?? Bueller?...

I'm pretty sure the golden bike shop does. That's a tough purchase but one I've been considering. $100 for something you may only use annually. But it is good to have the right tool for the job.

surely you have a hammer and a 2x4 ?

I bought a big ol' threaded rod (3/4 inch I believe), and a system of matching nuts and washers at the hardware store and made my own headset press. It works nearly as well as the shop one, other than using wrenches rather than the nice handles, and it cost me $6.38. Message me if you want to see a picture of my rod...

If your rod is 3/4 inch, why bother taking a picture?

Los' signature should read "Some happiness is measured out in inches" Let's see it Los. Take a picture and post it on the forum.

All that and nutless to boot.

Sorry, camera is not working...

Brian, I actually did the same thing yesterday, except my rod is 12" because of the larger head tube. I had some spare headset cups from an old steel taiwan headset that made excellent presses so I didn't have to press on the edge of the new cups but rather in the middle where a "real" press would have fit.

Stop exaggerating Greg... I don't know why YOU always have to have the largest rod. Good job with the old cups. Aren't we just all using integrated headsets yet? I should buy a real press, just so I have it in 2 more years, when the next big marketing push is "externally mounted headsets, - allowing a qualified mechanic to replace the headset in case of failure". I hope the current presses will work with the "new" 1.386 inch standard size.